Support belt

ABSTRACT

A sized belt to fit the waist of a wearer which includes an elastic primary strip the ends of which are provided with Velcro fasteners to connect over the abdominal area and which includes a secondary band composed of a pair of strips connected to the central zone of the primary band and which overlap the abdominal area and are connected together and to the primary band by Velcro fasteners over the abdominal area to provide secure support.

Umted States Patent [191 [111 3,920,008

Lehman Nov. 18, 1975 SUPPORT BELT 3,441.02? 4/1969 Lehman 128/578 [76]Inventor: Ira S Lehman, 1830 NE. 197 3,570,480 3/1971 Stubbs 128/78Terrace Mlaml 33162 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell [22] Filed: Aug.8, 1974 Assistant ExaminerJ. Yasko App]. No; 495,649

[52] US. Cl 128/96; 128/78 [51] Int. Cl. A61F 5/24 [58] Field of Search128/96, 78, 578, 545, 541

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,104,699 l/l938 ODell128/78 2,117,309 5/1938 Fritsch.....

2,596,765 5/1952 Dubner....

3,434,469 3/1969 Swift 128/78 7] ABSTRACT A sized belt to fit the waistof a wearer which includes an elastic primary strip the ends of whichare provided with Velcro fasteners to connect over the abdominal areaand which includes a secondary band composed of a pair of stripsconnected to the central zone of the primary band and which overlap theabdominal area and are connected together and to the primary band byVelcro fasteners over the abdominal area to provide secure support.

8 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. atent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 10f43,920,008

U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet20f4 3,920,008

US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 3 0f 4 U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 40M 3,920,008

SUPPORT BELT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to anabdominal belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is perhaps well known, after anoperation, the abdominal area is oftentimes weakened, sore and requiressupport to avoid pain such as by coughing or sneezing. The presentinvention provides a belt which supports the abdominal area securely anddistributes the stresses and strains caused by body movements over alarge area so as not to concentrate the forces exerted thereby and hencecause pain in any localized area. The present invention provides asupport for the abdominal area of the wearer with a primary elastic beltor band and a secondary belt or band of elastic material which issecured to the primary belt in a zone of the primary belt which overlaysthe spine of the wearer and which is composed of two strips of a lengthsuch that when stretched they are adapted to extend around the body andover the abdominal area overlappingone another, with the result thatgreat support is provided for the abdominal area.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide anabdominal belt which provides secure support of the abdominal area whichis adjustable and which belt is characterized by a first waistencircling elastic primary band of strip form the opposite end zones ofwhich are overlapped and connected together by fastener means, such asVelcro, the zone of connection overlaying the abdominal zone; and whichalso includes a secondary elastic band means, either singular or dual,and composed of strip segments each of which segments which are securedat their respective proximal ends to the portion of the primary bandwhich overlays the spine of the wearer and which are extendable,elastically so as to overlap the abdominal area and be connectedtogether, and adjustable as to length within their elastic range, andwhich construction as described herein provides a secure overlocking ofthe primary band and secondary band means to adjustably support theabdominal area.

Generally it is the object of this invention to provide a support beltwhich distributes stresses and strains about the midriff of a wearersupporting the back relative to the abdominal area and providing asecure adjustable easy to apply, comfortable support, which isespecially useful, for example, after surgery when muscles are sore andother types of abdominal conditions which give pain when stresses andstrains are concentrated in a given area and which effectivelydistributes the loads over larger areas so as to reduce discomfort fromsuch ailments.

Generally speaking, it is an object of this invention to provide anabdominal support belt for a wide range of conditions such as ventralhernia, ptosis, a prolapsed abdominal wall because of overweight orother factors, or other pathological conditions, which requiremechanical realignment of the abdominal zone of a person in order forthe person with the ailment to have function and comfort approachingthat of a normal person.

It is an object also, to provide a belt of the type described which isadapted to be readily adjusted to accommodate changes in the conditionof the wearer as 2 corrective steps bring results or changes in hiscondition.

Accordingly, this invention provides a primary body encircling abdominalbelt through which an adjustable primary realigning force may be appliedto the abdominal area and, subsequently, through a secondary band meanscarried on the primary band, the forces or tension applied by the beltmay be increased or decreased readily to accommodate relatively minorchanges that take place as a person wears the belt, such as a heavymeal, exercise, or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of the outside surface of abelt constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating the inside surface ofthe belt shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the belt in an initial step of applying it about thegirth of a wearer;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating intermediate steps of applying the beltabout the girth of a wearer; and

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the belt fully applied to a wearer;

FIG. 6 is an outside surface view of a second embodiment of theinstantinvention which has been partially broken away to illustrate the same;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the inside of the belt;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the beltshown in FIG. 6 about the girth of a wearer;

FIG. 9 is a view of an intermediate step in the appli-.

cation of the belt of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the full application of the belt shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings whereinlike reference characters designate like or corresponding partsthroughout the several views, the numeral 12 designates an elasticsupport belt which, when stretched Iongitudinally, is sized and adaptedto fit about the waist of a wearer, see FIG. 5, and which belt includesa primary band provided with secondary adjustable overlapping bandmeans, the latter to be explained more fully following the descriptionof the primary band.

Referring to the primary band of the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1through 5, it is seen that it is composed of an elastic primary band 14comprising a strip having end zones, a first end zone 16 and a secondend zone 18 and opposing longitudinal edges 20 and 22.

The primary band has an inside surface 15, see FIG. 2,

and an outside surface 17, see FIG. 1. The primary band 14 is of alength between the end zones which is less than the girth of the wearerand stretchable longitudinally within the elastic range of the materialto a length greater than the girth of the wearer for overlapping of thesecond end zone 18 over the front end zone 16, see FIG. 3. Mutuallyintercooperating means are provided on the confronting faces of the endzones for fastening the ends together and holding the primary band in astretched condition about the waist of a wearer; these means preferablyare fastening means commercially known as Velcro, the type wherein anarray of a multitude of hooks of relatively rigid nylon or equivalentmaterial-are provided on a pad 24 on the inside surface of the secondend zone 18 and a pad 26 of soft nap loops constituting keeper meansprovided on the outside surface of the first end zone 16. Preferably,the pad 26 of loops extends farther lengthwise, that is longitudinallyof the belt. from the terminal edge of the end zone 16 than does the pad24 of hooks on the second end zone 18 to provide an adjustment means ofthe stretch of the belt. that is to provide adjustment of it within itselastic range between its normal unstretched length and its practicalelastic limit.

Also. in the preferred embodiment the margin 28 of the hook pad extendsoutwardly of the second end zone 18 to provide a relatively thin tabmeans which can be easily raised to initiate peeling of the Velcro padsto separate them and to remove the belts primary band. Also. when thebelt is being worn, this relatively thin tab, in comparison to therelatively thick belt band. resists peeling because it extends outwardlyof the relatively thick end of the belt band and therefore keeps inengagement with the nap and hence remains securely fastened. In thepreferred embodiment the edges 9 and of the end zones may be taperedvertically inwardly, that is converging, slightly between the upper edgeand the lower edge 22.

The primary band preferably includes in the central zone 30, that is thezone between the end zones, reinforcement means or vertical stay means.More specifically. if reinforcement is desired, a center patch may besecured to the belt primary band by peripherally stitching, as at 34, anelongate canvas patch 36 to the outside belt surface. Such a patchextends between the side edges 20 and 22 and may define a pocket toreceive vertical stay means 38 or a supplemental reinforcing member ofthin spring steel. Additional pocket means 40 and 42, similarlyconstructed may be provided outboard of the central pocket. The pocketsmay be open for access to insert a relatively rigid vertically orientedstay which can be replaced by a thinner stay, depending upon the comfortpreferences of the wearer.

In the intermediate zones 44 and 46, which are the zones of the bandoutboard of the central belt zone and between that zone. and the endzones. roll preventing means may be provided in the form of pockets 48and 50 on the exterior surface which extend about half of the distanceon either side of the longitudinal centerline of the belt toward theside edges 20 and 22 and which. when holding a stay in each, resistscurling of the longitudinal edges of the belt towards one another. Theend zones may also be provided with pockets 52 and 54 extendingvertically between the side edges for receiving stays.

For a purpose which will be apparent with respect to the followingdescription of the secondary band means, fastener means to cooperatewith companionate fastener means on the secondary band are provided onthe primary band preferably in the form of Velcro fastener meansprovided on the outside surface of the second end zone of the primaryband. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, now being described, anupper and a lower nap loop pad 51 and 53 are provided on the outsidesurface of the second end zone and extend longitudinally away from theend 10 and toward the end 9. These pads are adapted to be connected toJ-hooks on the secondary band as seen in FIG. 4.

Generally with continuing reference to FIGS. 1-5, the secondary bandmeans are provided and comprise elongate strips fastened at theirrespective proximal ends to the central zone of the main or primary bandand with their respective distal ends overlaying an associated end zoneof the main belt; and when the belt is 4 applied to a person the distalends are generally diametrically spaced from the reinforced central zoneor back of the belt and arranged such that these distal ends of the bandstrips overlay one another in an overlocked relation as is seen in thedrawings, FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the specific embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, the secondary bandmeans comprise an upper and a lower elastic band 56 and 58. Both of thesecondary bands are in the form of a pair of oppositely extending stripsof elastic fabric material and the band strips are characterized by alongitudinally extending upper and lower edge 60 and 62 and 60 and 62.Each secondary band is centrally secured, as by stitching, see at 64 and66, to the central zone of the primary band and extend there from inoverlaying relation of the outside surface of the primary band. Forpurposes of the following description, the upper band may be consideredas being composed of a first and a second strip segment 68 and 70 whilethe lower band may be considered to be composed of a first and a secondstrip segment 72 and 74. The segments or strips of the upper and lowerbands are of a normal length extending from the attachment to theprimary band to their respective distal ends 76 and 78 and 80 and 82which is about equal to and, preferably, slightly less than thecorresponding length of the underlying primary band. Each secondary bandsegment is of a width between its longitudinal edges which is less thanthe distance between the longitudinal edges of the primary band and thecenterline of the primary band; and the proximal end of each stripsegment is secured to the primary band such that its longitudinalcenterline overlays the central longitudinally extending region of theprimary band which lies between the centerline of the primary band andthe adjacent edge of the primary band, as shown in FIG. 1.

The first upper band segment or strip 68 of the upper elastic band means56 is provided with the companion means to interconnect with the means51 on the primary band, see FIG. 4; and in the illustrated embodimentcomprises a pad 84 secured to the distal end zone 76 which pad includesJ-hooks to engage the nap loops of the pad 51, such that when thesecondary band is stretched within its elastic limit and connected tothe primary band it is adapted to reinforce the midriff support of theprimary band and be adjustable as to length within the elastic range.The first lower band segment or strip 72 is also provided with a pad 88of J-hooks on the distal end zone 80 to also selectively reinforce themidriff. Adjustment means for the first upper and lower band segments 68and 72, to vary the elongation thereof, comprise the longitudinallyextending length of the pads 51 and 53 on the exterior of the primaryband and it is seen that as a result thereof, the secondary bandsegments 76 and 78 may be stretched or relaxed somewhat so long as theJ-hooks engage the nap.

For a purpose which will be apparent with respect to FIG. 5 and thefollowing description of the second upper and lower secondary bandsegments 70 and 74,.

fastener means are provided on the outside surface of the first upperand lower secondary band segments 68 and 72 to cooperate with companionfastener means on the ends of the second upper and lower secondary bandsegments. Preferably the fastener means are in the form of Velcro, ornap and hooks.

As can be seen on reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second upper bandsegment 70 and the second lower band segment 74 are adapted to belongitudinally stretched so as to overlay the first upper and lower bandsegments 68 and 72.. Each of the second segments 70 and 74 are providedwith a pad of Velcro hooks 90 and 92 on their respective distal ends forhooked up engagement with longitudinally extending nap pads 93 and 94which extend longitudinally on the outside surface of the distal endzones of the first upper and lower band segments of the secondary bandmeans.

It is thus apparent that there has been provided an adjustable abdominalbelt to provide adjustable support for example, after abdominal surgery.The belt may be applied to achieve support and, then, adjusted to meetthe comfort requirements of a wearer in use by separately adjusting someor all of the four segments of the secondary supportive band means for arelatively fine adjustment of the degree of support to be provided.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 610, a

second preferred embodiment is illustrated. Generally this embodimentincludes an elastic support belt designated by the numeral 112 whichwhen stretched spans the midriff area of the wearer as previouslydescribed with respect to the first embodiment with the exception thatit is somewhat less in overall height' between the longitudinal edgeswhich preferably taper from the central zone toward the end zones whichoverlap. This preferred embodiment is characterized by an elasticprimary band 114 having end zones a first end 116 and a second end zone118 and opposing longitudinal edges 120 and 122. The primary band has aninside'surface 115 and an outside surface 117, see FIGS. 6 and 7.Mutually intercooperating means are provided on the confronting surfacesof the end zones for fastening the ends together in overlapping relationand holding the primary band in a stretched condition about the waist ofa wearer, Velcro fastener means being preferred. Also, the primary bandmay include in the central zone 130 reinforcing means or vertical staymeans in pockets 134; and supplemental reinforcing members as previouslydescribed may be utilized. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 throughdiffers from that of FIG. 1 in that the primary band may be taperedsomewhat from the central zone toward the distal ends, 116 and 118, andmay be composed of overlapping strips 171 and 172- which may be stitchedtogether. The belt of this embodiment includes a single centralsecondary band means instead of an upper and lower secondary band means.The secondary band of this embodiment is composed of a first and asecond secondary band segment 156' and 157. The secondary band iscentrally se cured, as by stitching, see at 164 and 166 to the centralzone of the primary band and the portions of it extend therefrom inoverlaying relation of the outside surface of the primary band along thecenter line zone thereof generally. The band may be considered as beingcomposed of the first and second strip portion 156 and 157. The segmentsare of a normal length extending from the attachment to the primary bandto their respective distal ends 176 and 180 which is about equal to andpreferably slightly less than the corresponding length of the underlyingprimary band. The first band segment or strip 156 is provided with meansto interconnect with means 151 on the exterior surface of the primaryband, see FIG. 9; and in the illustrated embodiment a pad 184 secured tothe distal end zone 176 which pad includes J-hooks to engage the naploops of the pad 151 such that when the secondary band is stretchedwithin its elastic limit and connected to the primary band it is adaptedto reinforce the support of the primary band and to be adjustable as tolength within its elastic range.

As is apparent from the preceding description with respect to the firstpreferred embodiment the first band segment is provided with fastenermeans 189 provided on the outside surface to cooperate withcompanionatefastener means 191 on the inside surface of the other band segment.Preferably, these fastener means are also in the form of Velcro or napand hooks.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, after the primary band has beenpositioned on a wearer in a stretched condition as shown in FIG. 8, thefirst of the secondary band segments is stretched and secured to theprimary band; and, thereafter, the second of the secondary bands isstretched and secured, again permitting of a degree of adjustment ofsupport by the wearer and permitting ready application by people who arerelatively weak who may, apply the band without considerable effortbeing required.

What is claimed is: I

1. A sized.belt to fit about the waist of a wearer between the hip boxand rib cage comprising:

an elongate elastic primary band having an inside surface and an outsidesurface and opposed longitudinal edges and a first end zone and a secondend zone and an intermediate zone between the end zones,

mutually interengaging means on the outside surface of the first endzone and the inside surface of the second end zone to intercooperatewith one another to hold the band end zones in overlapping relation whenthe primary band is about the girth of a wearer with said second endzone overlapping said first end zone,

the normal longitudinal length of the primary band being less than thegirth of a wearer and, when on a wearer and the end zones are inoverlapping relation, being elastically stretched,

said intermediate zone having a central zone adapted to overlay the backof a wearer between the hip box and rib cage levels,

elastic secondary band means secured to the central zone of the primaryband comprising:

a first band portion and a second band portion, each portion being astrip and having an inside surface and an outside surface and a proximalend and a distal end and opposed longitudinal edges,

said portions extending in opposite directions from said central zoneand generally parallel to the center line of the primary band and beingof a dimension between their respective longitudinal edges which is lessthan the distance between the opposed longitudinal edges of said primaryband,

each of said secondary band portions having a distal end zone andmutually interengaging means on the outside surface of the second endzone of said primary band and the inside surface of the distal end zoneof said first band portion to intercooperate with one another to holdthe distal end of the first band portion in overlapping relation of thefirst and second end zones of the primary band when the primary band isabout the girth of a wearer with the first and second end zones inoverlapping relation; and

mutually intercooperating means on the outside sur face of the firstband portion and on the inside surface of the distal end zone of thesecond band portion to intercooperate with one another to hold thedistal end of the second band portion in overlap- 7 ping relation ofsaid end zones of said primary band and the distal end zone of saidfirst band portion, the length of said first band portion whenoverlaying said first primary band and extending toward said first endzone being of a normal length from the proximal end attachment to thecentral zone which is less than the distance from the proximal endattachment to the second end zone when said primary band end zones arein overlapping relation and the belt is about the girth of a wearer,

the length of said second band portion when overlaying said primary bandand extending toward said second end zone being of a normal length fromthe proximal end attachment to the central zone which is less than thedistance from the proximal end attachment to the first end zone, whensaid primary band end zones and the distal end of the first band portionare in overlapped relation and the belt is about the girth of a wearer.

2. The sized belt as in claim 1 wherein the secondary band meanscomprises a single pair of said portions and the center line of saidportions is normally in overlaying relation of the central longitudinalzone of the primary band when about the girth of a wearer.

3. The belt as set forth in claim I wherein the band means comprisessaid first band portion and said second band portion and said first andsecond band portions comprise an upper band means overlaying the zone ofsaid primary band adjacent one of said longitudinal edges.

4. The belt as set forth in claim 3 wherein said elastic secondary bandmeans comprises a lower first band portion and an upper first bandportion and a lower second band portion and an upper second bandportion.

5. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mutually interengagingmeans comprises a pair of soft nap loops constituting keeper meansarranged on one of said surfaces and a companionate array of hook meanson the other of said surfaces when in confronting relation, said hookmeans comprising a pattern of outwardly projecting, commonly oriented,hook members in upstanding relation adapted in response to pressureagainst said pad to intermesh with said loops and releasably cling tothe nap of said pads to be separated therefrom in response to a quickyanking force,

whereby when the elastic primary and secondary band means are stretchedlongitudinally from the central zone and positioned inwardly andforwardly about the body of a wearer, said hook means are adapted forhooked-up engagement with said nap loops.

6. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary band meansconverges from said central zone toward the first and second end zones.

7. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central zoneincludes reinforcement means extending between said longitudinal edges.

8. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mutuallyinterengaging means on the said inside surfaces comprises a plurality ofhook means in a companionate array and said mutually intercooperatingmeans on said outside surfaces comprise soft nap loops constitutingkeeper means and arranged on said exterior surfaces and being inelongate pad form and extending longitudinally of said belt, and saidhook members comprising a pattern of outwardly projecting, commonlyoriented, hook means in upstanding relation adapted in response topressure against said pad to intermesh with said loops along theirlongitudinal lengths of said pads and releasably cling to the nap ofsaid pads to be separated therefrom in response to a quick yanking forceand comprising adjustment means for the stretch of the belt within itselastic limit.

1. A sized belt to fit about the waist of a wearer between the hip boxand rib cage comprising: an elongate elastic primary band having aninside surface and an outside surface and opposed longitudinal edges anda first end zone and a second end zone and an intermediate zone betweenthe end zones, mutually interengaging means on the outside surface ofthe first end zone and the inside surface of the second end zone tointercooperate with one another to hold the band end zones inoverlapping relation when the primary band is about the girth of awearer with said second end zone overlapping said first end zone, thenormal longitudinal length of the primary band being less than the girthof a wearer and, when on a wearer and the end zones are in overlappingrelation, being elastically stretched, said intermediate zone havinG acentral zone adapted to overlay the back of a wearer between the hip boxand rib cage levels, elastic secondary band means secured to the centralzone of the primary band comprising: a first band portion and a secondband portion, each portion being a strip and having an inside surfaceand an outside surface and a proximal end and a distal end and opposedlongitudinal edges, said portions extending in opposite directions fromsaid central zone and generally parallel to the center line of theprimary band and being of a dimension between their respectivelongitudinal edges which is less than the distance between the opposedlongitudinal edges of said primary band, each of said secondary bandportions having a distal end zone and mutually interengaging means onthe outside surface of the second end zone of said primary band and theinside surface of the distal end zone of said first band portion tointercooperate with one another to hold the distal end of the first bandportion in overlapping relation of the first and second end zones of theprimary band when the primary band is about the girth of a wearer withthe first and second end zones in overlapping relation; and mutuallyintercooperating means on the outside surface of the first band portionand on the inside surface of the distal end zone of the second bandportion to intercooperate with one another to hold the distal end of thesecond band portion in overlapping relation of said end zones of saidprimary band and the distal end zone of said first band portion, thelength of said first band portion when overlaying said first primaryband and extending toward said first end zone being of a normal lengthfrom the proximal end attachment to the central zone which is less thanthe distance from the proximal end attachment to the second end zonewhen said primary band end zones are in overlapping relation and thebelt is about the girth of a wearer, the length of said second bandportion when overlaying said primary band and extending toward saidsecond end zone being of a normal length from the proximal endattachment to the central zone which is less than the distance from theproximal end attachment to the first end zone, when said primary bandend zones and the distal end of the first band portion are in overlappedrelation and the belt is about the girth of a wearer.
 2. The sized beltas in claim 1 wherein the secondary band means comprises a single pairof said portions and the center line of said portions is normally inoverlaying relation of the central longitudinal zone of the primary bandwhen about the girth of a wearer.
 3. The belt as set forth in claim 1wherein the band means comprises said first band portion and said secondband portion and said first and second band portions comprise an upperband means overlaying the zone of said primary band adjacent one of saidlongitudinal edges.
 4. The belt as set forth in claim 3 wherein saidelastic secondary band means comprises a lower first band portion and anupper first band portion and a lower second band portion and an uppersecond band portion.
 5. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidmutually interengaging means comprises a pair of soft nap loopsconstituting keeper means arranged on one of said surfaces and acompanionate array of hook means on the other of said surfaces when inconfronting relation, said hook means comprising a pattern of outwardlyprojecting, commonly oriented, hook members in upstanding relationadapted in response to pressure against said pad to intermesh with saidloops and releasably cling to the nap of said pads to be separatedtherefrom in response to a quick yanking force, whereby when the elasticprimary and secondary band means are stretched longitudinally from thecentral zone and positioned inwardly and forwardly about the body of awearer, said hook means are adapted for hooked-up engagement with saidnap loops.
 6. The belt as set forth in claim 1 wherein Said primary bandmeans converges from said central zone toward the first and second endzones.
 7. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the centralzone includes reinforcement means extending between said longitudinaledges.
 8. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mutuallyinterengaging means on the said inside surfaces comprises a plurality ofhook means in a companionate array and said mutually intercooperatingmeans on said outside surfaces comprise soft nap loops constitutingkeeper means and arranged on said exterior surfaces and being inelongate pad form and extending longitudinally of said belt, and saidhook members comprising a pattern of outwardly projecting, commonlyoriented, hook means in upstanding relation adapted in response topressure against said pad to intermesh with said loops along theirlongitudinal lengths of said pads and releasably cling to the nap ofsaid pads to be separated therefrom in response to a quick yanking forceand comprising adjustment means for the stretch of the belt within itselastic limit.